JPS601019B2 - heating and cooling equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a heating and cooling device for humans.
and e), in particular to devices for warming or cooling a person in which a temperature regulating fluid is circulated through a thin and flexible heat exchange structure.

Such heating and cooling devices are well known and have long been used in a variety of applications. Generally, these devices consisted of pads covered or uncovered with fabric material or hoses or the like placed in various patterns throughout the mold of a certain design.
Some devices use a single passage with a compact profile, while others use multiple passages to provide a large area of heat transfer within a given size pad or blanket. All of this prior art equipment suffers from a special problem commonly referred to as "choking" (PmchoH). This constriction problem occurs when a thermal pad or blanket has one fluid passageway that is twisted or blocked to prevent fluid flow. When this occurs, the functionality of the device is immediately impaired.

As a result, it has been proposed to use stiff materials for the fluid passageways that can withstand constriction, but such materials would make it difficult to bend the pad and would be "uncomfortable for the patient or user of the pad." Therefore, it would be an advance in the art if this type of heating and cooling device could eliminate or greatly reduce the problems associated with clamping.

Additionally, conventional pads or flood cooling devices have been subject to failure due to wide temperature changes across the pad. This temperature change is primarily caused by the elongated and tortuous shape of the fluid passageway. This long path results in a pad that is less flexible than the desired pad with its continuous welding and makes it difficult to wrap the limb. A problem with conventional devices of this type is that they cannot be further folded.

Folding immediately causes a constriction condition. Therefore, it would be a further advance in this technology if the pad could be folded in various ways and still maintain fluid flow. It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to enhance the effectiveness of salt cooling systems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fringe cooling device that exhibits little constriction.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to. To provide a heating and cooling device that can be folded into a small size and maintains fluid flow even in this small size.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heating and cooling device with very small temperature differences between the various regions of the device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a heating and cooling device that can be easily adapted to uneven body contours.

These objects, in one configuration of the invention, are made of a flexible material made of two overlapping sheets of fluid-impermeable material that are sealed around the periphery to form a fluid-tight compartment. - Achieved by providing a heating and cooling device consisting of a sex pad.

Fluid inlet means and outlet means are disposed within the compartment and a number of fluid guiding passages are formed within the compartment. This passage is bounded by a number of oriented, intermittent sealing areas with predetermined spacing. This structure forms restricted but non-continuous passageways, each of which is connected to every other passageway. in this way,
Any pressure between two or more adjacent seal areas that is large enough to impede fluid flow will direct fluid to other passageways. Cut the pad or device into 4 small sizes, e.g. by half or quarter.
It is also unique in that it can be folded up and still performs its function. Other Objects of the Invention For a better understanding of the invention, together with its advantages and possibilities, the disclosure with respect to the invention is explained based on the figures.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 10 for regionally warming or cooling the body or limbs of a mammal.

This device 1 consists of two superimposed sheets 12, 1 made of a fluid-impermeable material such as sheet-like vinyl resin.
It consists of a flexible pad formed from 4.
The seats 12, 14 are provided with a peripheral seal 16 to form a fluid-tight compartment 18.
Fluid inlet means 20 and fluid outlet means 22 in the form of hoses 20a, 22a are each provided on a portion of the device 10, one end of which is connected to the compartment 18. The other ends of the inlet means 20 and the outlet means 22 are connected to a fluid source and a fluid drain, not shown, respectively. A number of fluid conducting passageways 24 are provided within the compartment 18 and are bounded by a number of intermittent oriented sealing areas 26 having predetermined spacings indicated at A. Ru.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the sealing area 26 is circular in outline. This shape has the same length as the uniform fluid flow around it. However, this shape can also be any other geometric shape, such as a square, rectangle, bar, ellipse, etc. When the material is vinyl resin, the seal area and surrounding seal area are dielectric welded.
can be formed by In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the fluid guide passages is a fluid inlet passage 24.
a, and at least one of the other fluid guide passages is formed to include a fluid outlet passage 24b. These passages 24a, 24b are sealed by oriented and intermittent sealing areas 26a, 26b.
Separated from the rest of the aisle. In this case seal area 2
6a, 26b have a narrower spacing 8 than A. Some or all of the sealing areas 26, 26a, 26b are provided with openings 27 therethrough to aid ventilation. The curved arrows on passageways 24, 24a, and 24b in FIG. 1 indicate the normal flow direction of fluid in the passageways.

It is easy to see from FIG. 1 that tightening between two or more sealing regions 26 does not substantially affect fluid flow as it easily maneuvers through narrow passageways. Other advantages of this construction are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, which show the device 10 folded in half and folded in quarters, respectively.

In each of these states, the inlet means 20 and the outlet means 2
2 and the effective sections of the device 10 that are compatible perform their normal functions. Many variations in the pattern of sealing areas 26 forming the body of device 10 are possible.

For example, the pattern in Figure 1 is a "straight and square design with seal areas at the corners of the squares staggered by 1'2 of the side length of the squares. A hexagonal pattern is suitable. This pattern determines the direction of fluid flow. The peripheral seals 16 also serve to assist fluid flow.

Advantageously, this seal has rounded corners. The area where constriction is always a problem is the area adjacent to where the fluid inlet means and outlet means join the interior of the compartment 18.

This condition is very effectively alleviated or eliminated by the hoses 20a, 22a terminating in the compartment 18 at a discontinuous surface. This is accomplished by having one hose extend deeper into the compartment 18 than the other hose, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, a discontinuous surface may be provided at the end of the hose. In FIG. 4, the terminal end of the inlet hose 20a is provided with a V-shaped notch 28.

In FIG.
0, and in FIG. 6, a hole 32 is provided,
In FIG. 7, one diagonal cut 34 is provided.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the hose of FIG. 4. Forming the end of the hose in this manner results in the presence of a discontinuous surface within the compartment 18, thereby making it very difficult for a pinch to occur in this area.

It is clear from the above description that a new warm-lined barrel will be created.

This device has many advantages over the prior art. In other words, it can be folded and still functions even when folded.
Tightening is virtually impossible and it can also be covered and used for dispensing and can be moistened for wet heat application. The lack of a continuous, curved, continuous passageway makes the device more flexible when filled with fluid and when pre-allowing accommodation with uneven body areas.

Additionally, tests with water at about 1050F showed less than about 30F to 40F temperature deviation between various locations on the device. While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described as presently considered desirable, it is understood that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. It is clear to those skilled in the art.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pad folded in half; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the pad folded in quarters; Figure 4 is an alternating hose. A front view of the termination, Figures 5-7 are additional views of the alternating embodiment of the hose termination, and Figure 8 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 4. .3 fortune, ziyoshi, il rare book.6 dochin.akenchin.8

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A pad formed of two sheets of fluid-impervious material sealed around the periphery to form a fluid-tight compartment, and communicating with said compartment. fluid inlet means and outlet means, and a plurality of fluid guiding passages formed within the compartment, the passages having a plurality of oriented and intermittent sealing areas having predetermined spacings. heating or cooling equipment for providing heating or cooling areas limited by 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid inlet means and the fluid outlet means are adjacent. 3. The second claim characterized in that the fluid inlet means and the fluid outlet means terminate in the compartment at a discontinuous surface.
Apparatus described in section. 4. at least one of the fluid guide passages is configured to include a fluid inlet passage communicating with the fluid inlet means;
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the fluid guide passages is formed with a fluid outlet passage in communication with fluid outlet means. 5. The at least one fluid inlet passageway and the at least one fluid outlet passageway are separated from the remaining plurality of fluid passageways by oriented and intermittent seal areas having spacings less than said predetermined spacing. 5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that: 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the oriented and intermittently arranged sealing areas are substantially annular. 7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the oriented and disposed sealing areas are not annular. 8. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the inlet means and the outlet means consist of hoses. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the discontinuity for the end portions of the hoses is achieved by extending one hose deeper into the compartment than the other. 10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the discontinuity for the end section of the hose is achieved by a notch formed therein. 11. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the discontinuity for the end section of the hose is achieved by a beveled termination. 12. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the discontinuity for the end section of the hose is achieved by drilling holes in the end section. 13. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that the oriented, intermittent sealing areas not forming part of the inlet and outlet passages are arranged in a linear pattern. . 14. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the oriented, intermittent sealing regions that do not form part of the inlet and outlet passages are arranged in a non-linear manner. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid impermeable material is dielectrically weldable vinyl. 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the peripheral seal and the oriented, intermittent sealing areas are dielectrically welded.